Metagenomic analysis of termite mounds

This data came from a study on methane emissions from termite mounds and methanotrophic microbial communities in the termite mound material. Termites are a natural source of methane that contribute to global methane budgets, however the factors influencing methane emission are not well known. We address this knowledge gap in our study. Sampling took place at a savanna site in far North Queensland, Australia in May 2022. Termite mounds from three species (Amitermes laurensis, Coptotermes acinaciformis, Nasutitermes magnus) were measured for methane emission, then mound material samples were taken from inner mound material at the site of methane emission sampling. Mound material was frozen at -20C until samples were processed. DNA was extracted using the Qiagen DNeasy PowerSoil Pro Kit, and metagenomic sequencing followed.